Welcome to INTRAMIF
INitial TRAining network in Mass Independent Fractionation

A Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN)





ESR project 12: MIF in tropospheric H2O: Relation to MIF in tropospheric CO2, radiocarbon and Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange (STE)

APPLICATION CLOSED, CANDIDATE FOUND!

Climate and Environmental Physics, University of Bern, Switzerland
supervisor M. Leuenberger, CEP >e-mail
co-supervisor A. Landais LSCE

Theoretical and experimental results indicate that there is a MIF signal in stratospheric water vapour, but its magnitude is still under discussion (Webster & Heymsfield 2003; Franz & Röckmann 2005; Zahn et al. 2006). As in the case of CO2, MIF in tropospheric H2O is expected to be smaller than in O3. Nevertheless, advances during recent years allow different species exhibiting MIF in ice cores to be seen. Recently it has been observed that Δ17O in Antarctic ice remained small over long time periods [Landais et al., 2008]. This contrasts with measurements of Δ17O on monthly-integrated precipitation samples collected from the Swiss precipitation network run by UBern, which showed occasionally large deviations in Δ17O of up to several per mil. Interestingly, deviations in radiocarbon from its annual mean at Jungfraujoch [I. Levin, personal communication] seem to parallel those MIF events, at least partly. Those Δ17O measurements have been performed with a conventional equilibration method, which has a rather low precision. More sophisticated methods such as the one used at LSCE will be applied to solve this issue. The project contributes yet another interdisciplinary aspect to INTRAMIF since it links MIF events to stratosphere-troposphere exchange and radiocarbon. This project also involves analysis of a suite of natural waters together with our associated partner Hydroisotop in order to develop hydrological applications of the MIF signatures.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must not already hold a PhD degree.
  • At the time of selection for this position, you must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of your research career. This is measured from the date when you obtained the degree which would formally entitle you to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in Switzerland.
  • In line with EU requirements, successful applicants must demonstrate trans-national mobility, i.e. they must move to Switzerland from their present country of residence. The project is not generally open to applicants who are presently in Switzerland. Please check section II.1 of the FP 7 PEOPLE Work Programme for details.

Benefits:

This is a fully funded 3-year PhD project. Successful applicants will be paid a salary for three years to cover their living expenses. In addition to conducting their research projects, they will attend associated training modules that include summer schools, skills courses, scientific meetings etc. They are also eligible for additional payments towards their travel and relocation costs as well as a "Career Exploratory" allowance. Fellows will be able to start their three-year fellowships from 1 September 2009 on.

How to apply:

  • If you want to apply for this project, please follow the guidelines here
  • Applications must be received by 1 july 2009.
  • Women researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.
  • For further questions, please contact the supervisor of the project.